Apparatus and method for providing a shielding means for an X-ray detection system

Abstract

An apparatus and method for providing an x-ray shield means in an x-ray detection system. An x-ray inhibiting container for use in a computed tomography system is provided, the container comprising: a peripheral wall; and a bottom, wherein the peripheral wall and bottom define a receiving area, and a forward portion and a rearward portion of the peripheral wall comprise an x-ray inhibiting material. The system comprising: a computed tomography scanner, configured to produce x-ray projection data as an object is passed through the computed tomography scanner, the computed tomography scanner comprising: a gantry having an opening; and an x-ray source configured to project a fan beam of x-rays towards a detector array disposed on an opposite side of the gantry opening, the x-ray source and detector array being mounted to the gantry about the opening; a structure defining an internal volume being configured to receive at least the gantry of the computed tomography scanner therein, the structure having an input opening and an outlet opening, the structure comprising an x-ray shielding material; and a motorized conveyor for passing a plurality of tubs through the input opening to the outlet opening, wherein each of the tubs comprises a peripheral wall and a bottom to define a tub volume and a forward portion and a rearward portion of the peripheral wall is configured to substantially cover the input opening or the outlet opening as the plurality of tubs are passed through the structure, wherein the forward portion and the rearward portion each comprise an x-ray shielding material.

1. An x-ray inhibiting container for use in a computed tomography system, the container comprising:
 a bottom wall; and 
 a peripheral wall coupled to said bottom wall, said peripheral wall and said bottom wall defining a receiving area, wherein a forward portion and a rearward portion of said peripheral wall comprise an x-ray inhibiting material, said forward portion and said rearward portion are sized to substantially close at least one opening defined within the computed tomography system. 
 
   
   
     2. The x-ray inhibiting container as in  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral wall further comprises
 a pair of side walls each extending between the forward portion and the rearward portion, the pair of side walls each having an exterior surface and an interior surface; and 
 an indicator disposed on the exterior surface of one of the pair of side walls. 
 
   
   
     3. The x-ray inhibiting container as in  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral wall further comprises
 a pair of side walls each extending between the forward portion and the rearward portion; and 
 an indicator disposed on the x-ray inhibiting container. 
 
   
   
     4. The x-ray inhibiting container as in  claim 3 , wherein the indicator is machine-readable code. 
   
   
     5. The x-ray inhibiting container as in  claim 1 , wherein the forward portion and the rearward portion of the peripheral wall are each configured to provide a predetermined distance between an object disposed in the receiving area and the x-ray inhibiting material of either the forward portion and the rearward portion of the peripheral wall. 
   
   
     6. The x-ray inhibiting container as in  claim 1 , wherein the x-ray inhibiting material is integrally molded into the forward portion and the rearward portion and the x-ray inhibiting material is lead. 
   
   
     7. The x-ray inhibiting container as in  claim 1 , wherein the container is configured to be passed through a gantry opening of a computed tomography scanner. 
   
   
     8. A computed tomography system for scanning items, the system comprising:
 a computed tomography scanner, configured to produce x-ray projection data as an object is passed through the computed tomography scanner, the computed tomography scanner comprising:
 a gantry having an opening; and 
 an x-ray source configured to project a fan beam of x-rays towards a detector array disposed on an opposite side of the gantry opening, the x-ray source and detector array being mounted to the gantry about the opening; 
 
 a structure defining an internal volume being configured to receive at least the gantry of the computed tomography scanner therein, the structure having an input opening and an outlet opening, the structure comprising an x-ray shielding material; and 
 a motorized conveyor for passing a plurality of tubs through the input opening to the outlet opening, wherein each of the tubs comprises a peripheral wall and a bottom to define a tub volume and a forward portion and a rearward portion of the peripheral wall is configured to substantially close the input opening or the outlet opening as the plurality of tubs are passed through the structure, wherein the forward portion and the rearward portion each comprise an x-ray shielding material. 
 
   
   
     9. The system as in  claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of tubs further comprises
 a pair of side walls each extending between the forward portion and the rearward portion, the pair of side walls each comprising a non-x-ray inhibiting material; and 
 an indicator disposed on each of the plurality of tubs; and the system further comprises; 
 a scanner configured to detect the presence of the indicator of one of the plurality of tubs, wherein the indicator and the scanner are located to provide a signal when one of the plurality of tubs is located proximate to either the input opening or the outlet opening and the x-ray shielding material of the tub is disposed within either the input opening or the outlet opening of the structure and the x-ray source is prevented from projecting the fan beam of x-ray unless the signal is generated. 
 
   
   
     10. The system as in  claim 9 , wherein the indicator is machine-readable code. 
   
   
     11. The system as in  claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of tubs are substantially uniform in size and configuration and the computed tomography scanner is a spiral computed tomography scanner and the x-ray source and the detector array are rotatably mounted to the gantry. 
   
   
     12. The system as in  claim 8 , wherein the forward portion and the rearward portion of the peripheral wall of each of the plurality of tubs is configured to provide a predetermined distance between an object disposed in the tub volume and the x-ray inhibiting material of either the forward portion and the rearward portion of the peripheral wall. 
   
   
     13. The system as in  claim 12 , wherein the x-ray inhibiting material is integrally molded into the forward portion and the rearward portion and the x-ray inhibiting material is lead. 
   
   
     14. The system as in  claim 8 , further comprising a controller for controlling the movement of the motorized conveyor. 
   
   
     15. The system as in  claim 8 , wherein the forward portion and the rearward portion of the peripheral wall of each of the plurality of tubs is configured to provide a predetermined distance between the tub volume of each of the plurality of tubs as they are placed on the motorized conveyor. 
   
   
     16. The system as in  claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of tubs are substantially uniform in size and configuration and the structure further comprises a plurality of partitions located above the motorized conveyor, wherein each of the plurality of partitions are separated by a distance substantially equal to a length of each of the plurality of tubs, wherein the length of each of the plurality of tubs corresponds to a direction of travel of each tubs through the structure on the motorized conveyor and each of the partitions are located at a distance above the motorized conveyor that allows for un-impeded passage of the plurality of tubs. 
   
   
     17. The system as in  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the plurality of partitions are disposed at the input opening and the outlet opening of the structure. 
   
   
     18. The system as in  claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of tubs are substantially uniform in size and configuration and the structure further comprises a plurality of partitions located above the motorized conveyor, wherein each of the plurality of partitions are separated by a distance less than a length of each of the plurality of tubs, wherein the length corresponds to a direction of travel of each tub through the structure on the motorized conveyor and each of the partitions are located at a distance above the conveyor that allows for un-impeded passage of the plurality of tubs, wherein at least one of the plurality of partitions are disposed at the input opening and the outlet opening of the structure. 
   
   
     19. The system as in  claim 8 , wherein the structure further comprises:
 a first door member movably secured to the input opening for movement between an open door position and a closed door position, wherein the first door member comprises an x-ray inhibiting material and is configured to cover the input opening when the first door member is in the closed door position; and 
 a second door member movably secured to the outlet opening for movement between an open door position and a closed door position, wherein the second door member comprises an x-ray inhibiting material and is configured to cover the outlet opening when the second door member is in the closed door position. 
 
   
   
     20. The system as in  claim 19 , wherein the structure further comprises a first switch door switch and a second door switch, the first door switch being configured to provide a door closed signal when the first door member is in the closed door position and the second door switch being configured to provide a door closed signal when the second door member is in the closed door position. 
   
   
     21. A computed tomography system for scanning items, the system comprising:
 a computed tomography scanner, configured to produce x-ray projection data as an object is passed through the computed tomography scanner, the computed tomography scanner comprising:
 a gantry having an opening; and 
 an x-ray source configured to project a fan beam of x-rays towards a detector array disposed on an opposite side of the gantry opening, the x-ray source and detector array being rotatably mounted about the opening; 
 
 a structure having an input opening and an outlet opening, the structure comprising an x-ray shielding material the x-ray shielding material being configured to allow for scanning of objects passing through the structure; and 
 a motorized conveyor for passing a plurality of tubs through the input opening to the outlet opening, wherein each of the tubs comprises a peripheral wall and a bottom to define a tub volume and a forward portion and a rearward portion of the peripheral wall is configured to substantially cover the input opening and the outlet opening as the plurality of tubs are passed through the structure, wherein the forward portion and the rearward portion each comprise an x-ray shielding material and each of the plurality of tubs further comprises a pair of side walls each extending between the forward portion and the rearward portion; 
 an indicator disposed on each of the plurality of tubs at a discrete location; and 
 a plurality of scanners each being configured and located to detect the presence of the indicator of one of the plurality of tubs at a discrete location within the structure, wherein a first one of the plurality of scanners provides a first signal when a first one of the plurality of tubs is located proximate to the input opening and the x-ray shielding material of the first tub is disposed within the input opening and a second one of the plurality of scanners provides a second signal when a second one of the plurality of tubs is located proximate to the opening of the gantry and a third one of the plurality of scanners provides a third signal when a third one of the plurality of tubs is disposed proximate to the outlet opening and the x-ray shield material of the tub is disposed within the outlet, and wherein the x -ray source is prevented from projecting the fan beam of x-ray unless the first, the second and the third signals are generated. 
 
   
   
     22. The system as in  claim 21 , wherein the indicator comprises machine-readable code. 
   
   
     23. The system as in  claim 21 , wherein the forward portion and the rearward portion of the peripheral wall of each of the plurality of tubs is configured to provide a predetermined distance between an object disposed in the tub volume and the x-ray inhibiting material of either the forward portion and the rearward portion of the peripheral wall. 
   
   
     24. The system as in  claim 23 , wherein the x-ray inhibiting material is integrally molded into the forward portion and the rearward portion and the x-ray inhibiting material is lead. 
   
   
     25. The system as in  claim 21 , further comprising a controller for controlling the movement of the motorized conveyor the controller being configured to receive the first, second and third signals. 
   
   
     26. The system as in  claim 21 , wherein the forward portion and the rearward portion of the peripheral wall of each of the plurality of tubs is configured to provide a predetermined distance between the tub volume of each of the plurality of tubs as they are placed on the motorized conveyor. 
   
   
     27. The system as in  claim 21 , wherein the structure further comprises a plurality of partitions located above the motorized conveyor, wherein each of the plurality of partitions are separated by a distance substantially equal to the a length of the plurality of tubs and each of the partitions are located at a distance above the conveyor that allows for un-impeded passage of the plurality of tubs. 
   
   
     28. The system as in  claim 21 , wherein each of the plurality of tubs are substantially uniform in size and configuration. 
   
   
     29. The system as in  claim 21 , wherein each of the plurality of tubs are substantially uniform in size and configuration and the structure further comprises a plurality of partitions located above the motorized conveyor, wherein each of the plurality of partitions are separated by a distance substantially equal to a length of each of the plurality of tubs, wherein the length corresponds to a direction of travel of the plurality of tubs through the structure and each of the partitions are located at a distance above the conveyor that allows for un-impeded passage of the plurality of tubs. 
   
   
     30. The system as in  claim 29 , wherein at least one of the plurality of partitions are disposed at the input opening and the outlet opening of the structure. 
   
   
     31. The system as in  claim 21 , wherein the structure further comprises:
 a first door member movably secured to the input opening for movement between an open door position and a closed door position, wherein the first door member comprises an x-ray inhibiting material and is configured to cover the input opening when the first door member is in the closed door position; 
 a second door member movably secured to the outlet opening for movement between an open door position and a closed door position, wherein the second door member comprises an x-ray inhibiting material and is configured to cover the outlet opening when the second door member is in the closed door position; and 
 a first switch door switch and a second door switch, the first door switch being configured to provide a closed door signal when the first door member is in the closed door position and the second door switch being configured to provide a closed door signal when the second door member is in the closed door position. 
 
   
   
     32. The system as in  claim 21 , wherein the system further comprises:
 a deflectable switching member for movement between an empty conveyor position and an occupied conveyor position, the deflectable switching member providing an empty conveyor signal when the deflectable switching member is in the empty conveyor position, wherein the x-ray source is prevented from projecting the fan beam of x-ray when the empty conveyor signal is generated, wherein the deflectable switching member is configured and positioned to be moved from the empty conveyor position to the occupied conveyor position by one of the plurality of tubs as it passes through the system on the motorized conveyor. 
 
   
   
     33. The system as in  claim 32 , wherein the deflectable switching members provides an occupied conveyor signal when the deflectable switching member is in the occupied conveyor position and wherein each of the plurality of tubs and the deflectable switching member are configured to provide the occupied conveyor signal when the x-ray shielding material of at least one of the plurality of tubs is located at either the input opening or the outlet opening of the structure. 
   
   
     34. The system as in  claim 21 , wherein the computed tomography scanner is a spiral computed tomography scanner and the x-ray source and the detector array are rotatably mounted to the gantry. 
   
   
     35. A computed tomography system for scanning items, the system comprising:
 a computed tomography scanner, configured to produce x-ray projection data as an object is passed through the computed tomography scanner, the computed tomography scanner comprising:
 a gantry having an opening; and 
 an x-ray source configured to project a fan beam of x-rays towards a detector array disposed on an opposite side of the gantry opening, the x-ray source and detector array being mounted to the gantry about the opening; 
 
 a structure having an input opening and an outlet opening, the structure comprising an x-ray shielding material, the x-ray shielding material being configured to allow for scanning of objects passing through the structure; and 
 a motorized conveyor for passing a plurality of tubs through the input opening to the outlet opening, wherein each of the tubs comprises a peripheral wall and a bottom to define a tub volume and a forward portion and a rearward portion of the peripheral wall is configured to substantially close the input opening or the outlet opening as the plurality of tubs are passed through the structure, wherein the forward portion and the rearward portion each comprise an x-ray shielding material. 
 
   
   
     36. The system as in  claim 35 , wherein the system further comprises:
 a deflectable switching member for movement between an empty conveyor position and an occupied conveyor position, the deflectable switching member providing an empty conveyor signal when the deflectable switching member is in the empty conveyor position, wherein the x-ray source is prevented from projecting the fan beam of x-ray when the empty conveyor signal is generated, wherein the deflectable switching member is configured and positioned to be moved from the empty conveyor position to the occupied conveyor position by one of the plurality of tubs as it passes through the system on the motorized conveyor. 
 
   
   
     37. The system as in  claim 36 , wherein the deflectable switching members provides an occupied conveyor signal when the deflectable switching member is in the occupied conveyor position and wherein each of the plurality of tubs and the deflectable switching member are configured to provide the occupied conveyor signal when the x-ray shielding material of at least one of the plurality of tubs is located at either the input opening or the outlet opening of the structure. 
   
   
     38. A method for shielding x-rays of a computed tomography system, the method comprising:
 advancing a plurality of a plurality of tubs through an input opening and an outlet opening of the computed tomography system, wherein each of the plurality of tubs are substantially uniform in at least one dimension and each of the plurality of tubs comprises a peripheral wall and a bottom to define a tub volume and a forward portion and a rearward portion of the peripheral wall is configured to substantially cover the input opening and the outlet opening of the computed tomography system, wherein the forward portion and the rearward portion each comprise an x-ray shielding material and each of the plurality of tubs further comprises a pair of side walls each extending between the forward portion and the rearward portion and an indicator disposed on the at least one dimension of each of the plurality of tubs; 
 determining the location of each of the plurality of tubs passing through the computed tomography system by scanning for the indicator; and 
 generating an output signal when either the input opening and the outlet opening is covered by either a forward portion or the rearward portion of one of the plurality of tubs, wherein an x-ray source of the computed tomography system is prevented from generating an x-ray beam unless the output signal is generated. 
 
   
   
     39. The method as in  claim 38 , wherein the output signal is generated by a scanner positioned to detect the presence of the indicator in a predetermined location within the system, the predetermined location corresponding to either the input opening or the outlet opening being covered by either a forward portion or the rearward portion of one of the plurality of tubs, wherein the indicator is located in substantially the same location of each of the plurality of tubs.